I’ve got to know this wonderful short novel thanks to a lovely friend who gifted me this book (you do need to have one too, either such a friend or this book ;D). It’s an awesome one, one which your money and time will be well spent on. Already the cover is beautifully made and after I’ve read the story I have to say, it fits the book perfectly. Even though it is a thin book the story it holds is a rich one, which made me feel as if I’ve read a 500 pages long novel. It doesn’t tell unnecessary details or side stories and sticks just to the important parts with it’s short chapters, leaving room for the reader to imagine more of the past of the characters. We follow the cleric Chih who collects stories and knowledge and meets an old woman called Rabbit in one of the residences of the former empress. While Chih puts down records of their findings Rabbit tells them stories of the past, of the empress and her relationship with her. The former empress’ story gets unravelled at it’s own pace, each piece told by Rabbit as she thinks it’s the right time for Chih to hear it. This clever storytelling combined with the east asian themes and names and a diverse cast of characters made me fall in love with “The Empress of Salt and Fortune”. It begs for a reread.